[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 5 (Friday, January 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1073-1075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-101]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-R-2009-N198; 40136-1265-0000-S3]


Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Pope and Yell Counties, AR

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability: Draft comprehensive conservation plan 
and environmental assessment; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
availability of a draft comprehensive conservation plan and 
environmental assessment (Draft CCP/EA) for Holla Bend National 
Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for public review and comment. In this Draft CCP/
EA, we describe the alternative we propose to use to manage this refuge 
for the 15 years following approval of the final CCP.

DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments 
by February 8, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, questions, and requests for information to: 
Mr. Durwin Carter, Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge, 10448 Holla 
Bend Road, Dardanelle, AR 72834; telephone: 479-229-4300; e-mail: 
[email protected]. The Draft CCP/EA is available on compact disk 
or in hard copy. The Draft CCP/EA may also be accessed and downloaded 
from the Service's Internet Site: http://southeast.fws.gov/planning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Dawson, Refuge Planner, 
Jackson, MS; telephone: 601-965-4903, extension 20.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction

    With this notice, we continue the CCP process for Holla Bend NWR. 
We started the process through a notice in the Federal Register on May 
17, 2007 (72 FR 27837).

Background

The CCP Process

    The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System 
Improvement Act of 1997, requires us to develop a CCP for each national 
wildlife refuge. The purpose for developing a CCP is to provide refuge 
managers with a 15-year strategy for achieving refuge purposes and 
contributing toward the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, 
consistent with sound principles of fish and wildlife management, 
conservation, legal mandates, and our policies. In addition to 
outlining broad management direction on conserving wildlife and their 
habitats, CCPs identify wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities 
available to the public, including opportunities for hunting, fishing, 
wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental education 
and interpretation. We will review and update the CCP at least every 15 
years in accordance with the Administration Act.

CCP Alternatives, Including Our Proposed Alternative

    We developed four alternatives for managing the refuge and chose 
Alternative D as the proposed alternative. Each alternative would 
pursue the same four broad refuge goals--wildlife, habitat, public use, 
and refuge administration. A full description is in the Draft CCP/EA. 
We summarize each alternative below.

Alternative A--Current Management (No Action)

    Alternative A would continue current management strategies, with 
little or no change in budgeting or funding. Under this alternative, we 
would protect, maintain, restore, and enhance 6,616 acres of refuge 
lands and 441 additional acres included in a migratory bird closure 
area around the refuge, primarily focusing on the needs of migratory 
waterfowl. We would place additional emphasis on the needs of resident 
wildlife, migratory non-game birds, and threatened and endangered 
species. We would continue cooperative farming on 1,200 acres. We would 
continue mandated activities for protection of federally listed 
species. Control of nuisance wildlife populations would be undertaken 
as necessary. Habitat management efforts would concentrate on moist-
soil management, waterfowl impoundments, and crop production. We would 
continue to monitor invasive plants.
    We would maintain the current levels of wildlife-dependent 
recreation activities (e.g., hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, 
wildlife photography, and environmental education and interpretation). 
We would maintain two designated hiking trails, a 10-mile, self-guided 
auto tour route (for wildlife observation and photography), and three 
boat launch ramps with gravel parking areas, to the extent that these 
facilities would not substantially interfere with or

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detract from wildlife conservation. The refuge would continue to be 
closed to all migratory bird hunting, but would be opened to deer 
hunting, using archery/crossbow and gun, with the exception of a small 
tract adjacent to the Levee Trail. Turkeys, rabbits, squirrels, 
coyotes, beavers, raccoons, and bobcats would also be allowed to be 
taken incidental to deer hunting, and on certain designated days there 
would be special hunts for raccoons and turkeys. Sport fishing would be 
permitted in all refuge waters from March 1 to October 31 each year. 
The refuge would be closed to fishing during the winter months to limit 
disturbance of wintering waterfowl (except for bank fishing on Long 
Lake from November 1 to February 28).
    Under this alternative, we would pursue opportunities that arise to 
purchase or exchange priority tracts within the refuge acquisition 
boundary, which include 1,703 acres in private ownership distributed in 
numerous small tracts around the perimeter of the refuge.
    We would not have a dedicated park ranger (visitor services), but 
staff would continue to provide environmental education services to the 
public, including limited visits to schools, environmental education 
workshops, and on-site and off-site environmental education programs. 
We would continue to maintain exhibits in the visitor center, a kiosk 
outside the visitor center, and one on the Woodpecker Interpretive 
Trail.
    We would continue to offer opportunities for wildlife observation 
and photography throughout the refuge, accessible along the refuge road 
system from March 16 to November 14, but with the addition of a 
wildlife observation deck next to the visitor center. We would maintain 
a staff of 4, including the refuge manager, office assistant, 
maintenance mechanic, and equipment operator. We would maintain the 
refuge headquarters, visitor center, maintenance building and yard, 
roads, gates, and equipment such as road grader, tractors, dozers, and 
backhoe.

Alternative B--Enhanced Management of Habitat and Fish and Wildlife 
Populations

    Alternative B reflects an increase in management of habitat and 
fish and wildlife populations. In addition to the activities described 
under Alternative A, we would develop baseline inventories of biota and 
habitat potential, including inventories of forest conditions, aquatic 
species, and suitable woodcock habitat. We would broaden our focus on 
migratory waterfowl to include objectives for forest-dwelling and early 
successional birds, shorebirds, woodcock, colonial waterbirds, marsh 
birds, and wood ducks. In addition to continuing mandated activities 
for protection of federally listed species, we would develop a strategy 
to address these threatened and endangered species, as well as State-
listed rare species. We would develop a database and monitor deer herd 
status, trends in wild turkey populations, and the presence of 
waterbird rookeries. Data on nuisance wildlife would be collected and 
aggressive control measures initiated.
    Habitat management would include converting 125 acres from 
agricultural production to grassland and scrub/shrub habitat. By 
utilizing force account farming, the cropland acreage on the refuge 
would be reduced by 25 percent and crops would be converted to 
preferred waterfowl foods. We would also aggressively monitor non-
native plants and implement a plan to eliminate them. Enhancements in 
the management of moist-soil habitat would include developing complete 
water control capability on all moist-soil acres and using periodic 
disturbance to set back succession. Further, we would pursue 
cooperative projects to improve habitat quality on about 500 acres of 
open water. Waterfowl usage and shorebird response to habitat 
management would be monitored.
    Under this alternative, we would pursue opportunities to purchase 
or exchange tracts within the refuge acquisition boundary that would 
enhance fish and wildlife management. The staff would increase by the 
addition of a biologist, biological science technician, and park ranger 
(law enforcement). Wildlife-dependent recreation activities would be 
the same as under Alternative A.

Alternative C--Enhanced Management for Wildlife-Dependent Public Uses

    This alternative represents an increased focus on wildlife-
dependent public uses, rather than more emphasis on management of fish 
and wildlife populations and habitat as described under Alternative B. 
In addition to the activities described under Alternative A, we would 
increase wildlife-dependent recreation activities (e.g., hunting, 
fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, and environmental 
education and interpretation).
    The two most significant enhancements under this alternative would 
be the development of an environmental education center and the 
addition of a park ranger (visitor services) to the staff. These 
enhancements would greatly increase our capability to conduct 
environmental education and interpretation programs, and to better 
utilize qualified volunteers in support of Holla Bend NWR's mission and 
objectives. In addition to the park ranger, the staff would increase by 
the addition of an operations specialist and a heavy equipment 
mechanic. One function of the park ranger would be to develop a plan 
for recruiting and effectively managing volunteer support.
    This alternative would include construction of fishing piers at 
both Long Lake and Lodge Lake to be accessible by disabled individuals; 
development of a bird observation trail north of the refuge office; 
improvements to the Lodge Lake Trail and the loop to the Levee Trail; 
and vegetation management along refuge roads to improve wildlife 
viewing opportunities. Information kiosks, direction signs, parking 
lots, and other visitor use facilities would be improved. Under this 
alternative, we would determine the maximum number of archery hunters 
that refuge resources could support, and we would open a dove hunting 
season.
    We would pursue opportunities to purchase or exchange tracts within 
the refuge acquisition boundary that would enhance the public use 
program.

Alternative D--Balanced Enhancement of Management for Habitat, Fish and 
Wildlife Populations, and Wildlife-Dependent Public Uses (Proposed 
Alternative)

    This adaptive management alternative is basically concurrent 
implementation of selected enhancements under Alternatives B and C, 
which would result in greater benefits to the refuge and the 
surrounding area. For example, the baseline biological information 
developed under Alternative B would be useful in identifying 
opportunities to improve visitor experiences, and the increased 
volunteer support management developed under Alternative C would lead 
to increased efficiencies in collecting data on biological resources 
and responses (e.g., nuisance and invasive species occurrence, deer 
herd status, and evaluation of habitat management efforts) identified 
under Alternative B.
    Habitat management would include converting 100 acres from 
agricultural production to grassland and scrub/shrub habitat; 
cooperative farming would continue on 1,200 acres. To the extent 
possible, crops would be converted to preferred waterfowl foods. We 
would monitor non-native plants and develop a strategy to eliminate 
them. Enhancements in the management of

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moist-soil habitat would include developing complete water control 
capability on all moist-soil acres and use of periodic disturbance to 
set back succession. Further, the Service would pursue cooperative 
projects to improve habitat quality on 500 acres of open water. 
Waterfowl usage and shorebird response to habitat management would be 
monitored.
    The two significant enhancements in the public use program would be 
development of an environmental education center on the refuge and the 
addition of a park ranger (visitor services) to the staff. These 
enhancements would greatly increase our capability and opportunity to 
conduct environmental education and interpretation programs, and to 
better utilize qualified volunteers in support of Holla Bend NWR's 
mission and objectives. One responsibility of the park ranger would be 
to develop a plan for recruiting and effectively managing volunteer 
support. Wildlife-dependent recreation activities would be the same as 
under Alternative A.
    This alternative would include the construction of a fishing pier 
at Lodge Lake to be accessible by disabled individuals; development of 
a bird observation trail north of the refuge office; improvements to 
the Lodge Lake Trail and the loop to the Levee Trail; and selective 
vegetation management along refuge roads to improve wildlife viewing 
opportunities. Information kiosks, direction signs, parking lots, and 
other visitor use facilities also would be improved to the extent 
feasible. We would determine the maximum number of archery hunters that 
refuge resources could support, and we would evaluate the feasibility 
of adding a dove season.
    We would pursue opportunities to purchase or exchange priority 
tracts within the refuge acquisition boundary, which includes 1,703 
acres in private ownership distributed in numerous small tracts around 
the perimeter of the refuge.
    The staff would include a refuge manager, deputy refuge manager, 
heavy equipment operator, and office assistant, and would be increased 
to also include a biologist and biological science technician, a park 
ranger (visitor services), a park ranger (law enforcement), an 
operations specialist, and a heavy equipment mechanic.

Next Step

    After the comment period ends, we will analyze the comments and 
address them.

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the National 
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, Public Law 105-57.

    Dated: October 15, 2009.
Jacquelyn B. Parrish,
Acting Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 2010-101 Filed 1-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P